For the first time since 1997, pension payments will not be increased nor will they be reviewed again until March 2021, the Morrison Government has confirmed.

The Government admitted this was to be the case during Senate COVID-19 Committee hearings and includes the Aged pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and JobSeeker Payment.

Dr Mike Freelander MP states that this is the worst possible time to be putting the squeeze on household budgets.

The Member for Macarthur has voiced concern that during these challenging times of increased emotional and financial stress for households, the Government is showing that its priorities are not in assisting those doing it tough pay the bills or put food on the table.

After years of rising power, grocery and health costs and amidst a global pandemic, the Member for Macarthur believes that the rejection of a payment increase cannot come at a worse time.

For recipients, these payments mean they can afford to pay for the care they require or services they need, and it is widely known that these payments go back into the economy; something that our nation literally cannot afford to go without. 

Sadly, the current Government has tried to cut the pension or increase the pension age to 70 in every single budget they have proposed and have succeeded in cutting $1 billion already from pensioner concessions.

Dr Freelander and Labor are committed to holding the Government to account and will continue to work in the interests of pensioners.  

Quotes attributable to the Dr Mike Freelander MP:  

“During this highly stressful period of job losses, financial insecurity and rising emotional tensions, now is not the time to be making further financial cutbacks from already struggling households.”

“These payments go back into the economy and stimulate wages and employment; without them, there is the potential for further employment losses from services that rely on recipients being able to afford their work.”